Marquette University Athletics
Frea, Klopcic, Riniker Compete at USATF U-20 Outdoor Championships
6/19/2026 10:25:00 AM | Track & Field
Trio of Golden Eagles represent MU in Eugene.
EUGENE, Ore. – The Marquette University track and field team sent three student-athletes to the 2026 USATF U20 Outdoor Championships at Hayward Field this week, with all three turning in strong efforts against the nation's top junior competitors.
"I'm super proud of these three guys," Director of Track & Field and Cross Country Bert Rogers said. "They trained hard over this last month and really came out and competed well. Their future is looking bright!"
Freshman Dylan Riniker led the way with a fifth-place finish in the 3000-meter steeplechase, clocking 9:22.59 in a tactical race. Riniker stayed in contention early, running with the lead pack through much of the race before the front group broke away over the final laps. Riniker's performance marks the highest finish in event history for Marquette at the U20 Championships, surpassing Peter Bolgert's sixth-place result in 2008.
Freshman Blake Frea competed in the 400 meters, placing 15th overall in preliminary action with a time of 47.31. Racing for the first time in nearly a month, Frea's effort stands as his third-fastest performance of the season, where he now owns three of the program's top eight all-time 400-meter marks, including his freshman record 46.93 set earlier this season. His U20 appearance marked the program's first 400-meter qualifier at the meet this century.
In the 400-meter hurdles, freshman Drew Klopcic placed 21st with a time of 53.64 in a deep field. He closes his season with the fifth-fastest time on the team this year and ranks 34th on Marquette's all-time performance list. Klopcic's appearance is the first by a Marquette 400-meter hurdler at the U20 Championships since at least 1960.
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"I'm super proud of these three guys," Director of Track & Field and Cross Country Bert Rogers said. "They trained hard over this last month and really came out and competed well. Their future is looking bright!"
Freshman Dylan Riniker led the way with a fifth-place finish in the 3000-meter steeplechase, clocking 9:22.59 in a tactical race. Riniker stayed in contention early, running with the lead pack through much of the race before the front group broke away over the final laps. Riniker's performance marks the highest finish in event history for Marquette at the U20 Championships, surpassing Peter Bolgert's sixth-place result in 2008.
Freshman Blake Frea competed in the 400 meters, placing 15th overall in preliminary action with a time of 47.31. Racing for the first time in nearly a month, Frea's effort stands as his third-fastest performance of the season, where he now owns three of the program's top eight all-time 400-meter marks, including his freshman record 46.93 set earlier this season. His U20 appearance marked the program's first 400-meter qualifier at the meet this century.
In the 400-meter hurdles, freshman Drew Klopcic placed 21st with a time of 53.64 in a deep field. He closes his season with the fifth-fastest time on the team this year and ranks 34th on Marquette's all-time performance list. Klopcic's appearance is the first by a Marquette 400-meter hurdler at the U20 Championships since at least 1960.
FOLLOW THE GOLDEN EAGLES
SOCIAL: X | Facebook | Instagram
JOIN THE CONVERSATION: #WeAreMarquette | #MarquetteTFXC
Players Mentioned
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Sprints & Jumps
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Distance
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